Lobster Season Starts Strong in Eastern Passage

In Eastern Passage, N.S., the start of lobster season is off to a strong and promising beginning. One by one, local boats pulled into the wharf Thursday afternoon to unload the day’s catch, including the Double Trouble, which returned after an early morning on the water with roughly 1,400 pounds aboard.

On the wharf, Patrick DeWolfe helps move crate after crate from the deck, taking a moment to assess quality as he works. “The harder the lobster, the better the quality,” he explains while grading the day’s haul. Shell firmness, weight, and overall condition guide the sorting, with soft-shelled lobster remaining less desirable.

Rachel Romkey, who works at a local shop selling directly to customers, says the season has already delivered some unexpected surprises. “There’s a lot of really nice large lobster this year. I’ve been seeing six-, seven-, and even eight-pounders early in the season. Normally I don’t see the big guys until much later,” she says.

Lobster fishers are seeing larger than usual catches two weeks into the season. (CTV Atlantic/ Jonathan MacInnis)

Demand is steady, both locally and beyond Halifax Regional Municipality. Some customers stop in for fresh or pre-cooked lobster, steamed right on the wharf, while others arrange their own shipping. “I just had someone from Cape Breton call—they’re driving up next week. And another customer in Toronto is setting up UPS shipping to send lobster home,” Romkey adds.

However, the catch unloaded Thursday may be the last for a few days. With bitter cold and strong winds moving into the region, many captains are planning to keep their boats tied up until conditions improve.

As for pricing, early-season rates are currently sitting between $11 and $12 per pound, based on the still-unconfirmed shore price. Those numbers may shift as the season progresses, but for now, the combination of strong catches and high-quality lobster has the industry starting the year on a positive note.

original story credit Jonathan MacInnis CTV News - N.S. lobsters looking unusually large two weeks into the season